SL(5)421 – The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2019

These Regulations make amendments to the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Applications for Consent) (Wales) Regulations 2019, the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Variation of Consents) (Wales) Regulations 2019 and the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Inquiries Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2019.

 

The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Applications for Consent) (Wales) Regulations 2019 and the Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Variations of Consent) Regulations 2019 are amended to:

 

·      replace the term ‘national newspaper’ with ‘a newspaper circulating in Wales, England and Northern Ireland’; and

·      remove reference to the Department of the Environment and replace it with district council in Northern Ireland, where applicable. 

 

The Electricity (Offshore Generating Stations) (Inquiries Procedure) (Wales) Regulations 2019 are amended to:

 

·      specify a period in which publication of the notice of inquiry must take place; and

·      provide for the publication of the notice of inquiry by local advertisement.

Negative.

No points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.2 in respect of this instrument.

One point is identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.3 in respect of this instrument.

1.      Standing Order 21.3(ii) – that it is of political or legal importance or gives rise to issues of public policy likely to be of interest to the Assembly

The Committee raised concerns about the use of the term ‘national newspaper’ during technical scrutiny as it was not clear whether ‘national’ referred to a Welsh national newspaper or a UK newspaper. The Committee welcomes the amendment to the term and appreciates the Welsh Government addressing its concerns.

No points are identified for reporting under Standing Order 21.3 in respect of this instrument.

A government response is not required.

Legal Advisers

Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee

24 June 2019